Home / Military to civilian jobs / Marines / 2147
That is Marines MOS 2147. Civilian jobs, federal paths, and how the work reads on a resume.
What is in this guide
What the translation looks like
How it reads in service
Light Armored Vehicle Repairer/Technician supporting 2nd LAR Battalion
How a hiring manager reads it
Heavy Equipment and Powertrain Diagnostic Technician supporting 80-vehicle fleet operation
Roles this background maps to
Median pay, BLS OEWS May 2024
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Brad TachiNavy Diver · BMR founder
After the Navy he was hired into six federal career fields and tech sales, and sat on federal hiring panels along the way. The last two years went into rebuilding all of it into BMR, tuned for how resumes get screened today. 72,624 resumes built so far.
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Marines 2147 Light Armored Vehicle Repairer/Technicians perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on the entire LAV-25 family of vehicles — including the LAV-25 (gun system), LAV-AT (anti-tank with TOW), LAV-C2 (command and control), LAV-L (logistics), LAV-M (mortar carrier), LAV-R (recovery), and LAV-EW (electronic warfare). The work spans diesel engine and powertrain repair, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, turret systems and weapons integration, automotive electrical and electronic systems, suspension and drivetrain, and full chassis-level troubleshooting on a combat platform that has to roll on demand.
2147s train through approximately 13 weeks of recruit training at MCRD Parris Island or San Diego, then move to Camp Lejeune for MOS school at Marine Combat Service Support Schools (MCSSS), with the LAV-specific track running roughly 13 to 19 weeks depending on phase. The pipeline covers electrical theory, diesel engine fundamentals, hydraulic systems, turret hydraulics and electrical, weapons system integration, automotive systems, and full LAV-family troubleshooting in a hands-on shop environment. Most 2147s assign to the Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions — 1st LAR at Camp Pendleton, 2nd LAR at Camp Lejeune, 3rd LAR at Twentynine Palms, and the LAR companies attached to the Marine Forces Reserve. Forward deployments through the Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) are common.
What makes 2147s uniquely valuable in the civilian workforce is the combination of combat-vehicle-specific maintenance experience plus full-system diagnostic ability. A 2147 corporal has typically diagnosed faults across diesel powertrains, turret hydraulics, weapons integration, and combat vehicle electrical systems all on the same platform — and done it in maintenance bays at Camp Lejeune as well as in deployed environments where the parts truck is not arriving today. The cross-system troubleshooting under deployed conditions is the part civilian employers actually value, even more than the LAV-specific time. For comparable Marine Corps mechanical specialties, see the 3521 Automotive Organizational Mechanic and 1142 Engineer Equipment Mechanic career paths, or browse the full career translation hub.
I worked across federal engineering and federal trades after the Navy, and 2147s have one of the most directly translatable mechanical backgrounds the Marine Corps produces. LAV-25 repair experience plus turret and automotive electrical systems plus deployed-environment troubleshooting maps cleanly to WG-5803 Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic at DoD depots, federal contractor maintenance facilities, and major OEM heavy equipment dealers. The combat-vehicle-specific experience plus active clearance is the package. — Brad Tachi, Navy Diver veteran & BMR founder
The number that decides most of this: how does civilian pay compare to what the paycheck looks like now?
Marines mid-career
$58K to $82K
E-5 to E-7 total comp: base plus BAH, BAS and the tax advantage.
Civilian Light Armored Vehicle Repairer/Technician
$48K to $75K
BLS median across the direct-match civilian roles on this page.
Federal, GS-9 to GS-13
$58K to $120K
6 matching GS series, plus locality pay and step increases.
About 14% lower on average
Civilian base pay for Light Armored Vehicle Repairer/Technicians runs about $10K below mid-career enlisted total comp, though housing comes out of that number on the military side too.
Military comp is approximate and moves with location and dependents. Civilian is the BLS median. Federal includes locality pay. The real number depends on duty station, family status, GS step and overtime.
The civilian market for 2147s splits into four real lanes: defense contractor maintenance work (BAE Systems builds the LAV — your hands-on hours are gold there), heavy diesel and OEM dealer networks (Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu), federal trades positions on DoD installations, and fleet maintenance for major logistics carriers. Combat vehicle mechanic does not appear as a civilian job title, but the underlying skills map cleanly to roles paying $48K to $85K, with senior maintenance supervisor and federal trades positions reaching $95K and up.
Geography matters. BAE Systems LAV manufacturing is in York, PA. Major heavy equipment OEM hubs sit in Peoria, IL (Caterpillar), Moline, IL (Deere), and along the Gulf Coast for energy and industrial work. Federal trades positions sit at any DoD installation with a heavy equipment fleet. For a deeper salary picture across military-to-civilian paths, read the Military to Civilian Salary Guide. Veterans from Army 91B Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic, Army 91M Bradley Fighting Vehicle System Maintainer, and Navy CM Construction Mechanic compete for the same civilian roles.
BAE Systems is the LAV original equipment manufacturer and recruits former 2147s aggressively for maintenance, field service representative, and technical training roles. General Dynamics, the heavy equipment OEM dealer networks, and large fleet operators round out the list. Build a tailored 2147 resume free in under 5 minutes.
| Civilian job title | Industry | BLS median salary | Outlook | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Heavy Equipment MechanicO*NET 49-3042.00 | Construction & Heavy Equipment | $59,000 | 4% (Faster than average) | strong |
| Diesel Service Technician and MechanicO*NET 49-3031.00 | Transportation & Fleet | $56,000 | 3% (As fast as average) | strong |
| Industrial Machinery MechanicO*NET 49-9041.00 | Manufacturing | $62,000 | 13% (Much faster than average) | strong |
| First-Line Supervisor of Mechanics, Installers, and RepairersO*NET 49-1011.00 | Maintenance & Repair | $75,000 | 4% (Faster than average) | strong |
| Construction Equipment OperatorO*NET 47-2073.00 | Construction | $54,000 | 2% (Slower than average) | moderate |
| Automotive Service TechnicianO*NET 49-3023.00 | Automotive | $48,000 | 2% (Slower than average) | moderate |
| Field Service Technician (Defense)O*NET 49-9099.00 | Defense Contracting | $65,000 | 5% (As fast as average) | strong |
LAV original equipment manufacturer. Recruits former 2147s aggressively for maintenance, field service rep, and technical training roles.
Combat vehicle and land systems contractor. Field service, maintenance, and engineering roles for combat vehicle veterans.
Heavy equipment manufacturing and dealer network. Diesel powertrain and hydraulics experience translates directly.
Construction and agricultural equipment OEM. Strong demand for diesel and hydraulics technicians at dealer network.
Construction, mining, and forestry equipment manufacturer. Field service tech and dealer mechanic roles.
Construction equipment OEM. Dealer technician and field service roles for veteran diesel mechanics.
Defense systems contractor. Field service, maintenance, and program support roles for combat vehicle veterans with clearance.
Defense and aerospace contractor. Sustainment, depot, and field service roles for cleared veteran technicians.
Commercial fleet maintenance. Diesel mechanic and shop foreman roles. Veteran apprenticeship program available.
Commercial fleet leasing and maintenance. Strong demand for diesel and heavy truck technicians at shops nationwide.
Aviation and defense maintenance contractor. Mobility, sustainment, and depot maintenance roles for veteran technicians.
Government services and defense logistics contractor. Maintenance, field service, and operations roles worldwide.
Defense logistics, training, and maintenance services. Strong veteran hiring across DoD installation contracts.
Engineering, technology, and federal services contractor. Maintenance and field service roles at DoD installations.
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Federal trades and equipment specialist roles are one of the strongest lanes for 2147s. The Wage Grade (WG) federal trades system pays competitively, comes with full federal benefits, and recognizes military mechanical experience directly through OPM qualification standards. Veterans Preference plus active clearance plus combat vehicle maintenance experience is a stack civilian-only candidates cannot match.
Most honorably discharged Marines qualify for 5-point preference, and disabled veterans qualify for 10-point preference. For WG positions, military mechanical experience is recognized directly toward the qualification standards under OPM job grading guidance. Two pages of well-translated federal resume content beats four pages of unfocused experience every time. For the federal resume side, read Convert NCOER, OER, or FITREP into Resume Bullets, or use the BMR federal resume builder directly.
| Series | Federal job title | Typical grades | Match | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WG-5803 | Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic | WG-9, WG-10, WG-11 | 5 of 5 | View details |
| GS-1670 | Equipment Services | GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| WG-5350 | Production Machinery Mechanic | WG-9, WG-10, WG-11 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| WG-5823 | Automotive Mechanic | WG-8, WG-9, WG-10 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0301 | Miscellaneous Administration and Program | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| WG-6907 | Materials Handler | WG-5, WG-6, WG-7, WG-8 | 3 of 5 | View details |
Federal raters match your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement. BMR writes the federal format for any GS series above, with the hours per week and supervisor detail a rater looks for.
Free to start. Federal and private sector formats included.
Not everyone stays in a related field. These paths run on the transferable half of the job: leadership, risk, logistics, planning.
Marine Corps shop floor leadership plus equipment readiness management plus deployed accountability translates directly to civilian operations management. Crew chief experience covers most of what a junior operations manager does daily.
Transfers: shop floor leadership, process discipline, equipment readiness management, safety compliance.
How to get there: Start as operations supervisor or shop foreman after separation. Add Six Sigma Green Belt and PMP within 12 to 18 months for promotion to operations manager.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 6% (Faster than average)
LAV fleet readiness work translates to commercial fleet management. The maintenance scheduling, downtime reduction, and parts management workflows are the same regardless of whether the vehicles are armored or commercial.
Transfers: vehicle readiness, maintenance scheduling, parts and supply management, safety compliance.
How to get there: Start as fleet maintenance coordinator or shop supervisor at a fleet operator (Penske, Ryder, FedEx Fleet). Add CTP (Certified Transportation Professional) credential after 2 to 3 years for fleet manager promotion.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 5% (As fast as average)
Maintenance shop scheduling and equipment management translates to construction project coordination. Combat vehicle readiness work is essentially equipment availability management on a tight schedule.
Transfers: scheduling, equipment management, safety compliance, crew leadership.
How to get there: Start as construction project coordinator or assistant project manager. Pursue PMP certification after 3 years experience. OSHA 30-Hour Construction is a fast credential to hold up front.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 9% (Faster than average)
Marine Corps maintenance documentation and pre-operations inspection methodology translates to civilian quality assurance. The discipline of standardized inspection and root cause analysis is identical.
Transfers: inspection methodology, procedural compliance, documentation, root cause analysis.
How to get there: Start as QA technician or inspector. Add Six Sigma Green Belt within 12 months for promotion to QA specialist or supervisor roles.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 5% (As fast as average)
Maintenance parts management plus equipment accountability translates to supply chain coordination. The discipline of tracking parts demand, lead times, and vendor coordination overlaps directly.
Transfers: parts inventory management, supplier coordination, procurement, accountability.
How to get there: Start as supply chain analyst or procurement coordinator. APICS CSCP certification accelerates promotion to senior coordinator and manager roles.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 18% (Much faster than average)
DoD installations, VA, and federal facility security hire combat-arms-adjacent veterans into protective services roles. Veterans Preference plus active clearance plus weapons familiarity is the package.
Transfers: weapons handling, procedural compliance, physical fitness, clearance.
How to get there: Apply directly to USAJobs for DoD Police, VA Police, and federal facility protection (FPS) positions. GS-0083 series with GS-5 to GS-7 entry. Federal academy training is paid.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 3% (As fast as average)
Senior 2147s map directly to GS-1670 Equipment Specialist. Defense acquisition offices, TACOM, and major program offices recruit heavily here. Combat vehicle technical experience is exactly what the role asks for.
Transfers: equipment program management, technical writing, acquisition support, life cycle logistics.
How to get there: Apply through USAJobs for GS-1670 series. Entry typically GS-9 to GS-12 depending on time-in-grade equivalency. DAU coursework strengthens application.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · 4% (As fast as average)
The skills behind the specialty carry further than the specialty. BMR rewrites your bullets for any of the paths above without making it sound like you have never done the work.
Free to start. Try as many angles as you want.
If you are staying in heavy equipment, diesel, or defense contractor maintenance, your terminology translates directly. BAE Systems hiring managers know what an LAV-25 is, and Caterpillar shop foremen recognize hydraulic and powertrain work without translation. This section is for 2147s targeting careers OUTSIDE the direct mechanical lane: operations supervision, fleet management, manufacturing leadership, or facilities engineering.
Before (Military): Performed organizational and intermediate maintenance on LAV-25, LAV-AT, and LAV-C2 vehicles in support of 2nd LAR Battalion operations.
After (Civilian Heavy Equipment Mechanic): Performed full-spectrum diagnostic, repair, and overhaul on 8-wheeled armored platforms across diesel powertrain, hydraulic, electrical, and integrated weapons subsystems. Supported battalion-level fleet readiness with documented vehicle availability above 90 percent.
Before (Military): Diagnosed and repaired turret hydraulic faults on LAV-25 platforms during deployment.
After (Civilian Field Service Tech): Diagnosed and corrected precision hydraulic system faults on combat-grade armored vehicles in austere forward environments. Restored mission-critical capability with limited parts inventory and zero supplier escalations.
Before (Military): Supervised junior Marines conducting recovery operations and BII accountability.
After (Civilian Shop Foreman): Supervised 4-person heavy vehicle recovery and equipment accountability team. Maintained 100 percent inventory accuracy across $4M of mission-critical equipment over 18-month operational tempo.
For the broader translation playbook, read 50 Military Terms Translated to Civilian Language. Or skip ahead and let the BMR builder do the translation work.
Before, in service
Light Armored Vehicle Repairer/Technician supporting 2nd LAR Battalion
After, on the resume
Heavy Equipment and Powertrain Diagnostic Technician supporting 80-vehicle fleet operation
Before, in service
Performed organizational maintenance on LAV-25 platforms
After, on the resume
Performed operator-level preventive and corrective maintenance on heavy wheeled platforms
Before, in service
Conducted intermediate maintenance on turret hydraulic systems
After, on the resume
Conducted shop-level component repair and overhaul on precision hydraulic positioning systems
Before, in service
Maintained LAV-25, LAV-AT, and LAV-C2 platforms
After, on the resume
Maintained 8-wheeled armored vehicle family across multiple variants and mission configurations
Before, in service
Diagnosed and repaired LAV turret hydraulic faults
After, on the resume
Diagnosed and repaired faults on precision hydraulic positioning and stabilization systems
Before, in service
Led field maintenance team during MEU deployment
After, on the resume
Led forward-deployed mobile repair team executing maintenance under austere operational conditions
Before, in service
Maintained BII and COEI accountability across the fleet
After, on the resume
Maintained 100 percent equipment inventory accountability across $4M of mission-critical assets
Before, in service
Conducted recovery operations using LAV-R during training and deployment
After, on the resume
Conducted heavy vehicle recovery and towing operations in challenging terrain and weather conditions
Before, in service
Conducted Pre-Combat Inspections before each fire mission
After, on the resume
Conducted standardized pre-operations equipment verification and safety checks before each operational cycle
Before, in service
Served as Crew Chief for LAV maintenance section
After, on the resume
Served as maintenance shop foreman supervising 4-person diagnostic and repair team
BMR turns your 2147 duties and accomplishments into civilian bullets aimed at the job you are applying for. No manual translation.
Free to start. Tailored to each posting.
Which ones you need depends on where you are headed.
OptionalCost $150-$200Time 30 hoursConstruction-focused safety credential for 2147s targeting heavy construction operator-mechanic roles.
RecommendedCost Free for federal/contractor employeesTime Self-pacedFree coursework for federal and contractor staff in acquisition, sustainment, and life cycle logistics. Strong for senior 2147s targeting GS-1670 Equipment Specialist roles.
RecommendedCost FreeTime 2-4 hoursFree OPM-provided guidance on federal resume structure and qualification matching for WG and GS series.
RecommendedCost Employer-paidTime 6-24 monthsOEM-specific training combining classroom and dealer apprenticeship. Strong job placement on completion.
RecommendedCost $150-$500Time 3-6 monthsGI Bill eligibleIndustry-recognized for manufacturing maintenance. Hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical fundamentals overlap with LAV experience.
RecommendedCost $150-$300Time 2-4 monthsGI Bill eligibleEntry-level manufacturing credential covering safety, quality, manufacturing processes, and maintenance awareness.
RecommendedCost $300-$1,500Time 3-6 monthsQuality and process improvement credential. Useful for promotion to maintenance supervisor or quality assurance roles.
RecommendedCost $150-$200Time 30 hours (1 week)Cheap, fast credential that opens manufacturing supervision and industrial safety roles.
OptionalCost $60-$100Time 10 hoursEntry-level construction safety credential. Useful for construction equipment operator and field service roles.
Highly RecommendedCost $3,500-$6,000Time 7-10 weeksGI Bill eligibleGI Bill-eligible. Translates 2147 vehicle and recovery experience into commercial credentialing. Strong pairing for field service roles.
RecommendedCost $200-$1,500Time 2-4 monthsGI Bill eligibleConstruction-industry recognized certification for heavy equipment operators. Useful for operator-mechanic roles.
Highly RecommendedCost $50-$150 per testTime 3-6 months prepIndustry-standard certifying credential for diesel and heavy truck mechanics. Strong for OEM dealer hiring.
RecommendedCost $50-$150 per testTime 3-6 months prepLight vehicle automotive certification. Useful for dealer-level automotive service technician roles.
RecommendedCost $20-$50Time 1-2 daysRequired for refrigerant handling on motor vehicles. Cheap and fast credential.
Placement decides whether a screener ever sees it. BMR knows where each one ranks, what to call it, and how to frame it.
Free to start. Built around your real certs and clearance.
Most people do this backwards: wait for terminal leave, then panic. This is the sequence that works. Already out? Same plan, day one is today.
Days 0 to 30
Days 30 to 60
Days 60 to 90
The strongest direct paths are defense contractors (BAE Systems is the LAV OEM and recruits former 2147s aggressively, plus General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, RTX, and Northrop Grumman), heavy equipment OEMs (Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu, Volvo CE), large fleet operators (Penske, Ryder, FedEx Fleet), and federal trades positions at DoD depots and motor pools. Heavy equipment mechanic, diesel technician, field service rep, and shop foreman are the most common civilian titles.
BLS median salaries vary by role: automotive service tech around $48,000 (49-3023.00), diesel mechanic around $56,000 (49-3031.00), mobile heavy equipment mechanic around $59,000 (49-3042.00), industrial machinery mechanic around $62,000 (49-9041.00), and first-line maintenance supervisor over $75,000 (49-1011.00). Federal WG-5803 journeyman heavy mobile equipment mechanic positions typically pay $55,000 to $80,000 depending on locality, plus full federal benefits.
Yes, significantly. An active or recently active Secret clearance saves employers $5,000 to $15,000 and 6 to 9 months in clearance processing. BAE Systems and other LAV-related defense contractors actively prioritize cleared maintenance technicians. Your clearance stays active for 24 months after separation, longer if you continue cleared work without a break. List it prominently on your resume.
Yes for most 2147s. A CDL Class A with Hazmat endorsement opens commercial driving roles paying $60,000 to $95,000, and the 2147 vehicle background plus hazmat experience makes the certification straightforward. Most CDL programs are GI Bill-eligible. Cost varies $3,500 to $6,000, completed in 7 to 10 weeks. The CDL also pairs well with field service technician roles where driving to remote sites is part of the job.
For defense or federal trades work, keep your clearance active and pursue cleared roles directly. For OEM dealer or commercial work, the ASE T-Series certifications (Medium/Heavy Truck) are industry standard and accelerate entry at Caterpillar, Deere, and Komatsu dealers. OSHA 30-Hour General Industry ($150 to $200, 30 hours) is cheap and useful for shop and manufacturing roles. EPA Section 609 for refrigerant handling is fast and supports HVAC adjacent work.
Yes. CDL programs, ASE prep courses, OEM technician training (Caterpillar Think Big, Deere Tech, Cummins) and many community college diesel and industrial maintenance programs are GI Bill-eligible at the school level. The OEM-specific manufacturer programs typically combine classroom and dealer apprenticeship and have strong job placement on completion.
Federal resumes for trades positions follow specific format requirements: 2 pages target length, every job needs hours per week worked, supervisor name and contact, military pay grade, and detailed duty descriptions matching the OPM job grading standard for the trade. Use the BMR federal resume builder or read the federal resume blog content for full breakdown. WG hiring weighs hands-on experience heavily, so quantify everything you can — fleet size maintained, downtime reduced, fault types diagnosed.
There is no single dominant path because the MOS does not have a single civilian equivalent. Many veterans land at BAE Systems and other defense contractors (because the technical fit is strongest), federal WG trades roles at DoD depots (because Veterans Preference works), and heavy equipment OEM dealers (because the diesel and hydraulics translates directly). The veterans who struggle most are those who try to find an exact civilian match for combat vehicle repairer instead of translating to a broader category like heavy equipment mechanic or industrial maintenance.
The career pivots in this guide cover that path: operations manager, project management, fleet manager, supply chain manager, and quality assurance specialist. The skills transfer cleanly because shop floor leadership, parts accountability, and process discipline are transferable to most operations and logistics roles. Read the Military to Civilian Salary guide and the broader career change paths for more options.
Yes. BMR has built more than 55,000 resumes across every MOS, including dozens of LAV mechanics and combat vehicle repairers. The AI knows LAV-25, LAV-AT, organizational and intermediate maintenance, turret hydraulics, and combat vehicle electrical terminology, and translates all of it into civilian language tailored to the specific job you are applying for. Free for every veteran, including 2 tailored resumes, 2 cover letters, LinkedIn optimization, and elevator pitches.
Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Career data from O*NET OnLine.
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